Coaster



C. R. RING COASTER Filed July 30, 1927 gwuentoz aWoM mw Patented June 5, 1928.

UNITED STATES "PATENT OFFICE.

CARL RUDOLPH RING, OF IRON MOUNTAIN, MICHIGAN.

COASTER.

Application filed July 80,1927. Serial No. 209,469.

trated in the accompanying drawing and will be hereinafter fully set forth.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a toy embodying, the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, partly broken away and in section:

Fig. 3 is an enlarged. detail section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 4 is an. enlarged detail section ;on the line 44 of Fig. 1. i

In carrying out the invention, there is provided a runner 1 which consists of a narrow flat bar of metal having its front end up turned, as shown at 2. to provide an ornamental terminal for the runner and also project above the ground an appreciable distance so that it will serve also as a tender to turn aside small objects which might otherwise act to upset the device. All tendency of the runner to dig into theground is, of course, avoided. The rear extremity of the runner is also given an ornate finish by being turned into a coil, as indicated at 3. Through the straight length of the runner, a reinforcing rib 4 is provided on the upper side thereof and the said rib extends longitudinally from the lower point of the front curve 2 to the lowest point of the rear curve 3, the entire runner being of spring steel so that it may be flexed laterally for steering. Adjacent the front end of the rib 4, there is secured a post 5 which is preferably inclined upwardly and rearwardly somewhat, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, the lower end of the post being notched so that it will fit over the rib and may be riveted thereto. At the upper extremity of the post is a T-fitting 6, through the head of which is inserted a ban dle bar 7 which has its ends extending rearwardly in divergent relation and which may be firmly secured in the fitting in any desired manner. Immediately below the fitting 6, a bracket 8 is provided, the said bracket defining a central. eye or loop 9, which encircles the post, and leaves 10 which are brought together at the back of the post and extend rearwardly therefrom with their opposed faces in contact. A backbone 11 is provided and the front end of the same is longitudinally notched so as to span the leaves 10 and be riveted thereto, as indicated at 12, while the rear end portion of the backbone is curved downwardly and is notched. at its extremity whereby it may span the rib 4 and be firmly riveted thereto, as indicated at 13.

At the bend or curve of the backbone, a collar 14 is fitted around the same and secured thereto by a rivet or similar device 15 and from the front end of this collar a saddle arm 16 rises and. is then carried backwardly, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, to support the saddle or seat 17 which may be of any appropriate form and secured to the saddle arm 16 in any desired manner.

Below the backbone, a brace 18 is provided. and this brace has itsfront end rigidly secured to the leaves 10 of the bracket 8 and its rear end fitted over and rigidly secured. to the rib 4 in advance of but near the backbone. The brace reinforces the structure and supplements the post 5 and the backbone in. preventing collapse of the de vice. At a suitable point in the length of the brace 18, a foot rest 19 is secured thereto": and this foot rest consists of a strap or bar having its central portion formed into a loop or collar 20 which spans the brace and may be clamped thereto by a set screw 21, as shown most clearly in Fig. 3. -From the sides of the loop or collar 20, steps 22 project laterally and have stop lugs 23 at their outer extremities.

The eye or loop 9 permits a pivotal or turning movement of the post 5 and a lug or shoulder 25 on the post immediately below the loop prevents downward movement of the loop.

The child using the toy sits astride of the seat 17 with his feet upon the rest 22 and the lugs 23 will serve to hold the feet upon the rest, this position being safer than that inost frequently assumed in using the ordinary sled. A. slight impulse being given the coaster, it will proceed on a down grade until it reaches a level surface and will proceed over the level surface until it loses its momentum. The device when in motion will naturally tend to remain in upright posi tion and the handle bars 7 provide a convenient grip for the user so that he may retain his position upon the seat and also control the coaster. By turning the handle bar to one side, therunnerwilbbe 'flexedtand the device properly steeredythe foot rests furnishing a purchase for the riderin-steer- The arrangement -of the rear ends 01 ing. v p the backbone and the brace, relative to the steering post, provides for flexing of 'fl'ie runner Without any loss of strength.

It will be noted that I' have provided an' exceedingly simple device which may be pro- -duced' at a 10W -costand whfch'will be stron'g and durable. When-not coasting the'd'evice 'm'a-y' be easily carriedand as it is" supported upou'only asingle "runner "more s kill will "be required to steer it t'hanis required in the' use of anordinmrysled so that the child will derive more pleasure from -the' use of this device th an from i the use of the-ordinary sled and will also intuitively acquire a'finer *sen'seoihbalance and direction. As there is very little'friction, there is-nomppreeihble loss offlspeedby the -runner-'-'clitting "into snow. i

i *HaVing thL-is described [the invention, I claim: i l

v1'. A "coaster comprising a single runner; a.

- post*secured to and" rising from'the fre'ntend of the runner, a backbone secured -'to the runner near vthe rear end thereof-and extend- .ing' upwardly and then "forwardly therefrom,

1 secured to the front end of the back and a brace secured at its front end to the 'ahandle bar'caniedby the'upper md of the post, a saddle on the beckbonef-wbracket having a loop portion encircling the post im rend of the same e e y ewt wP and a rearwardly exten ing portion ri idly 'saidbraeketbeiow the front end of the backbone and at its rear end to the runner'in advance of the r-ear end of thebackbone.

*2. coaster "comprising a single'mnner a post secured to and rising from the'front end of -'the runner, a backbone secured "to the post immediately below the upper end b the same and a rearwardlyextendingportion rigidly securedto the front end of the' backbone, a brace secured at its front-end tothe eaid'bracket bel'ow'the front-end of thebackbone and at its 'rearendtotherunner inedvance M "the rear end of the beckbo'ne and a foot rest secured uponthe saidbrace.

In 'te stimonywhereof I 'a-fiixmy signature.

MUARLRUDOLPHERVING. 113; y 

